CHARLOTTE, NC – The PGA of America Career Services partnered with the Paraison Invitational to sponsor their Inaugural Diversity in Sports Forum on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at the Dubois Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The forum included a cocktail hour, where over 300 guests were able to network, and two different booths were brought in by PGA REACH Carolinas and A Kid Again to highlight their efforts in the non-profit space. The main event consisted of a panel of six individuals representing diversity, equity and inclusion in the world of sports.
The panel discussion, led by Bank of America President Keith Cockrell, lasted for almost two hours and included stories and answered questions from the panelists. The panel included Andre Springs, Interim Livingstone College Athletic Director, Men’s Head Golf Coach, and HBCU Hall of Fame Golfer, Joe Labue, President of Charlotte FC Major League Soccer, Keagan Dunn, University of Missouri Women’s Golf Alumna, Kristi Coleman, President of the Carolina Panthers, Ragean Hill, Executive Associate Athletic Director for UNC Charlotte Athletics, and Roman Harper, ESPN College Football Analyst, Super Bowl Champion, and former NFL Pro Bowl Safety. Those in attendance registered for free, and represented local colleges, universities, businesses and individuals looking to learn more about diversity in sports.
The evening concluded with a post-reception, allowing guests to meet the panelists and continue to network. The Paraison Invitational and PGA of America Career Services plan to partner to host this event again next year.
Following the Diversity in Sports Forum, the Paraison Invitational hosted a golf tournament on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Emerald Lake Golf Course, which raised over $70,000 for A Kid Again.
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